Chain tightener, fastener and lock.



W. WELLS.

CHAIN TIGHTENER, FASTENER, AND LOCK.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28. 1917- Patented Apr. 9,1918.

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\VILLIAWL VJ'ELLS, OF VALE, OREGON.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Apr. 3, 1918.

Application filed May 28, 191?. Serial 110. 171,364.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, WIULIAM WELLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Vale, in the county of Malheur and State of Gregon, have invented a new and useful Chain Tighteuer, Fastener, and Lock, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

Ely invention relates to a chain tigltener, fastener, and lock for use particularly in connection with a Weed or other automobile tire chain, although other uses may be made of same. The device may be used solely as a chain tightener auxiliary to the chain, in which instance the original locking device may be retained, or it may be used as an integral part of the chain thereby dispensing the previous or other locking device.

The object a device of this character which will be sim ple, lDQXpHS strong and durable in construction, llCl'l may be conveniently ap plied oper ted, and which when shut will be a ally lockedv By atta iig the device to an automobile ire chain. chain can be quickly and easily tightened and fastened, thereby elimiof the i vention is to provide the the loss in power due to loose .1 in stabilizirg the pull on the chain, and echoing the number of blow outs, as well a lessening the dangers of automobile use on s ippery roads and streets.

the above and other uses in View, the invention consists in the novel construction. combination. and arrangement of parts hereinafter described. and claimed. and, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a pers ective view of the chain tightener, fastener, and lock attached to an automobile tire chain in a closed position; Fig. 2 is perspective view of the device opened;

Fig. 3 is a reversed view of the same in its locked position; and

Fig. 4: is a cross section view on line A-A, Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawing, wherein the same reference characters refer to the same element throughout the several views, my chain tightener, fastener, and lock consists of the following: A frame 1, Fig. 2, provided with a slot 15, and carrying two cross arms 5, Fig. 2, and. 6, Fig.

3, rigidly fastened to frame 1 by means of rivets or bolts 7 and 7", or otherwise attached thereto. An operating lever 3, 2, will catch or latch 8 as a part thereof, provided at one end, said lever being movably mounted to frame 1 by rivet or bolt 10, and also movably mounted to connecting lever 41- by rivet or bolt 9 near the other end. it. connecting lever 1, slightly bent outiva d at 22 to make room for movably attaching o erating lever 3, is movably mounted near one end by means of rivet or bolt 9 to lever 3, and similarly attached 1112 the other end by rivet or bolt 9 to lever 52. Rivet or bolt 9" carries mounted thereon a washer 1 1, Fig. 3, large enough to permit its edges to overlap slot 15 thereby prev atin motion of overs 2 and .other h forward and backward along slot 15. lever 2 provided with book 16 as reof is movably mounted to connecting lever by rivet or bolt 9 and operates backward and forward through slot 15 etween cross arms 5 and 6.

v hen the device is used as a permanent and integral part of the chain as illustrated in 1, one or more holes 11 and 1:2 are pro led in frame 1 near the top thereof to permit engagement by a chain link or other means with cross chain 18, Fig. 1. A. hole is also provided near end of frame 1 at 13, 2., in order to permit connection with side chain 19. Fig. 1, by a cha n link 20. or other appropriate means-as illustrated in Fig. 1, u -enever the deviceis used as a perma ent part of the chain."

While the free ends of levers 2 and 3 may be provided with any suitable means for engagement, 1 preferably provide them with the hook 16 and catch or latch 8 as illustrated in Fi gs. 2 and respectively.

In actual use, to operate as a permauent pert of the chain as a tightener, fastener, and lock, the device is made a part of the chain by coupling or otherwise connecting a link or links of the cross chain 18, Fig. 1, through one or both of holes 11 and 12 provided near top of frame 1, and in the same around the automobile tire 21 in the usual manner and operating lever 3 thrown back toward hole 13, which operation Will result in advancing plunger lever 2, after which hook 16 is engaged ith a link on opposite end of side chain 19., and operating lever 3 is carried forward and across plunger lever 2 until the catch or latch 8 falls automatic lly over plunger lever 2 as illu. trated in Figs. 3 and Owing to the arrangement of parts and cor ecting means, it will seen that a large A the strain falls away from operating lever when locked, so that it an easy mat ch said lever when. des. .lp ftl'ld away I in operation as a '1 ting lever o .4. W. 7 o more plun er lever er the chain, a eonnec hook I required of any sui: e charaoer and size to pert it engagen, e of frame 1 tnerby r o 1 hole and no end link,

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h el; 16 is engaged to the opposite end link, or other hnl; of side chain and ooerated the original locking or fastenii g device, and the hook and tightener is removed after raising operating lever 3 as before described.

The device may be made of any suitable material, but lever 3 is made preferably of spring steel, and the rivets or bolts of copper. The weight and "lie of t e materials will depend upon the Weight and character of the chain and motor vehicle upon Which used.

Various changes Within the scope of the invention defined in the following claims may be made in the particular construction of the device and also in the shape and organization of the active members of the Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the .Commissioner comprising a. frame, provided with a slot, carrying an operating lever having one end vith catch ofl'set'therefrom, a plunger lever provided with a hook at one end, movable means for connecting said operating and plunger levers, and means for movably connecting said operating lever With said frame, substantially as described.

2. A chain ti htener, comprising a frame, provided with a slot, with hole near one end of frame, and opposite end carrying tvvo rigidly attached cross members, an operating lever having one end with catch ofiset therefrom, a. plunger lever provided with hook, a movable lever connecting operand plunger levers, pivotal movable means for connecting said levers, and means for pivotally connecting t ie operatin lever with e, substantially described.

3. A device of the charac er described, in combination vviti automobile tire chain, a frame, provided W1 h a slot, a plurality of holes near the top and a hole one end of the frame, the opposite end carrying tivo therefrom, a plunger lever provided With hook, a lever pivotally connected with said operating and plunger levers, means for opposing motion of than back and forth in said slot, means for pivotally connecting said operating lever and said frame, and means for attaching said frame with a tire chain of an automobile, substantially as described.

4. In combination with an automobile tin-- chain, a tightener, comprising a frame, pro vided with a slot, with a hole nearone end of said frame, and the opposite end carrying two cross members, an operating lever hav ingone end With catch offset therefrom, a plunger lever provided With a hook at one end, a movable lever pivotally connected of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

aid lever otherwise 

